One of the most fascinating parts of every NFL Draft cycle is the inevitable comparison game, where incoming prospects are measured against established NFL stars. For Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, that conversation reached another level when ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller compared him to Minnesota Vikings superstar Justin Jefferson, an endorsement that immediately places Tate within the context of elite NFL-caliber talent and reinforces why he is viewed as a potential standard-bearer for the Buckeyes’ receiver tradition.
Miller was careful to clarify that the comparison reflects Jefferson’s profile coming out of LSU, not the All-Pro version dominating the NFL today. Still, the similarities are notable. Both entered the draft process around 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, relying on advanced route running, strong ball tracking, and elite body control on contested catches. Tate’s ability to win vertically and adjust to the football mirrors the same traits that made Jefferson such an intriguing prospect. While comparisons don’t guarantee success, being linked to the league’s best wide receiver highlights the level Tate is expected to reach.
What makes Tate’s rise even more impressive, and more fitting within Ohio State’s receiver lineage—is that he isn’t even considered the top wideout on his own roster just yet. That distinction currently belongs to Jeremiah Smith, another Buckeye phenom who won’t be draft-eligible until 2027. Even so, Tate has firmly established himself as a focal point of the offense, posting 44 receptions for 793 yards and eight touchdowns despite battling nagging injuries. Alongside Smith, Tate forms what many consider the nation’s best receiving duo, with both earning Biletnikoff Award semifinalist honors.
That production places Tate squarely in line with Ohio State’s recent run of elite receiver prospects. Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Emeka Egbuka all entered the NFL as polished, high-profile talents, and Tate shares traits with each. Like Wilson and Olave, he creates separation with refined routes. Like Smith-Njigba, he excels in timing-based concepts and contested situations. His size and physicality resemble Harrison Jr., while his reliability and consistency echo Egbuka.
Justin Jefferson famously slipped to the 22nd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, a mistake the league quickly regretted. If Tate continues on his current trajectory, he may not wait nearly as long. With elite comparisons, strong production, and Ohio State’s proven developmental track record, Carnell Tate appears well-positioned to carry on the Buckeyes’ tradition of elite NFL wide receivers in the 2026 draft.
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